Im looking to lower my 05 Mini Cooper s was told H&R lowering springs are the way to go and Im looking for some used ones that will fit on my R53 not new ️if you have any suggestions or selling them please tell me Im only 16 so my budged can't afford 1k worth of sport lowering springs! Thanks!

 

If you are looking to lower your car a lot the H&Rs will do that. But I've found them to ride harsh and not have enough shock travel not allowing the shock to work properly. So this will reduce shock life and decrease performance. Having a proper shock and spring setup will not only perform better, but also ride better. The rule for lowering on stock R53 shocks is no lower than 3/4 inch to keep the shock travel. That is why our TSW springs only lower the car 3/4 inch. If you want more than that you would be best to go with coilovers.

 

Quite frankly I wouldn't bother putting any springs on stock shocks. No matter what the drop is you are still asking the oem dampers to work outside what they are designed for. IMO you should budget for shocks when looking to lower your car. Ask me how I know

 

I'm looking at Koni FSD shocks (first priority) for my R52 then maybe a very slight drop with new springs. However Koni makes statements that the FSD's shouldn't be used with lowering springs. This seems to be a knowledgeable thread, does anyone have any experience with these Koni's? I can theorize that the valving won't work properly with a shorter stroke, but am curious. First priority is a better ride, then maybe a better look with the springs.

 

I have FSDs and they are awesome, but you're right that you can't get shorter springs to go with them. Everything I've read says that you'll greatly reduce the life of the shocks to maybe just a few months if you go any lower than stock.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

and they wont warranty them if you use lowering springs from what I hear

 

have a set, let me know if you are interested.

 

I am interested how much do you want for them and how many miles have they been on for?

 

It is true you can NOT use lowering springs with the FSD shocks. Per the Koni rep: With lowering springs on the FSD it allows the shock shaft to travel too much and damages the valve internally at the bottom of the shock. The Koni rep then said it looks a mushroom when they get damaged from lowering springs.

No they won't warranty them. Others have tried and the Koni guys like I said know what the mushroom damage looks like when someone uses lowering springs on FSDs so they will void your warranty on them, so don't try it.

 

Koni yellow with h& r springs work great.

 

Old thread, but howbout' the Koni Str.t Orange with lowering springs? Will I destroy 'em? Also, does anyone know if Eibach makes a spring for the R52 or should I just go with TSR or H&R? Ideal spring would be about a 1 inch drop slightly stiffer ride. Thanks!